What Is It Like Being a Waterfront Instructor at Camp America?
Meet Jack, a Camp America participant from Melbourne, Australia, who is spending his first summer at Chestnut Lake Camp as a Waterfront Specialist.
After working full-time as a civil engineer, Jack was looking for something different. Inspired by a family friend who had worked at a summer camp in America, he decided to swap office life for a summer on the lake, combining his love of watersports with the opportunity to travel and experience life in the USA.
What Does a Waterfront Instructor Do?
Waterfront staff help campers enjoy a range of water-based activities while building confidence and learning new skills.
For Jack, that means spending his days driving boats, teaching water skiing, taking campers tubing, and helping children have fun safely on the water. Every day brings different groups of campers, new challenges, and opportunities to help young people try something they may never have experienced before.
Can You Use Your Existing Skills at Camp?
Absolutely.
One of the reasons Jack chose camp was the opportunity to use skills he had already developed back home. Having grown up water skiing, becoming a Waterfront Instructor allowed him to turn a personal passion into a role that helps others learn and grow.
Many Camp America participants find themselves sharing hobbies, sports, and interests they already love while gaining valuable experience working with children.
Why Work at a Summer Camp in America?
For Jack, camp offered the chance to combine travel, adventure, and meaningful work.
Rather than spending another summer following the same routine, he chose to challenge himself, experience a different culture, and meet people from around the world. It's an experience that many participants say helps them grow in confidence while creating memories they'll never forget.
What Is Life at Camp Really Like?
Camp life is busy, energetic, and often unpredictable.
Days are packed with activities, campers, and new experiences, but that's also what makes the experience so rewarding. Participants often describe camp as intense, exciting, and unlike anything they've done before.
Alongside the role itself, camp offers the opportunity to build friendships with people from different countries, experience American camp culture, and become part of a close-knit community.
Why Become a Waterfront Instructor?
Working on the waterfront can help you:
- Teach watersports and water-based activities
- Gain leadership and responsibility experience
- Build confidence and communication skills
- Work outdoors throughout the summer
- Make a positive impact on young people
- Meet people from around the world
- Spend your summer in the USA
- Create unforgettable memories and experiences
Thinking About Working on the Waterfront?
If you love being on the water, enjoy working with children, and want to spend your summer doing something different, a Waterfront Instructor role could be the perfect fit.
Watch Jack's story to discover what it's really like working on the lake at Camp America and why so many participants describe camp as one of the best experiences of their lives.
